You decide to try your luck at the Red Berry Inn. The door is on theme- a heavy looking wooden door streaked through with cherry, in a bright contrast to the blue clapboard and gray shutters. The bronzy-looking door handle has twining branches carved into it, the lever is in the shape of a long leaf. It takes you a second to figure out how to even open the thing. The bronze leaf is cold in your palm as you push down and shoulder inside.

The inn is not as cozy as you would have thought. There are hardwood floors in a similar tone to the door that swell into twin staircases directly in front of you. In the center is the front desk, and at the desk is a woman who barely glances at you as you step inside. The overall effect of the room would be grand if the entire place was just a little less... shabby. You see the blue-gray runners up the stairs are stained and frayed. To your left is an empty fireplace that clearly had a fake stone facade added in the 90s. There are two dingy arm chairs and a flimsy looking bookshelf with tattered paperbacks. You spot little piles of dust in the corners. To your right is a small area with a plastic potted plant and a plain, closed door.

You direct your attention to the woman and can't help but be struck by her vibrant, Little Mermaid red hair. It hangs in loose ringlets over her shoulders. She's very pale, but being surrounded by all of the red gives her skin a quicksilver glow. She's quite beautiful. You think she could be Nicole Kidman's second cousin, but her demeanor tells you even if that was true she'd have nothing but dislike for Nicole. As you approach you give her a small smile that she does not return. You notice that her blue-gray dress matches her eyes, along with the decor. You finally reach the desk, the woman having not moved a muscle to acknowledge you.

You broaden your smile hopefully. "Hi. So I'd like a room? Actually no wait- I don't really want a room. I'd like to use your phone?"

You're not sure what about the woman is so unsettling to you that you forgot your goal is to leave, not stay.

She responds in a voice that is quiet and soft, but the way she speaks holds your attention. It belongs to a person who knows she doesn't have to speak loudly to be heard.

"We don't have a phone." No apologies, no explanations.

You're skeptical. You don't see a phone at the desk but she must have one somewhere, or a personal cell phone. "No phone? How do you like, take reservations and stuff?"

Her tombstone eyes sweep toward yours under long, red lashes. Her only movement. "No need. People just come."

You're utterly confused by that but don't feel like digging any deeper. "Look, I've had a really long day and I'm pretty lost, I just want to call my sister to come pick me up."

"We don't have a phone." The woman repeats in the same near-lull. There's no hint of any emotion in her voice, not even boredom. You don't know what to do, but you're not leaving. You blink at her and wait. Finally, she gives you a flick of a smile. "But, we do have a room."

"A room," you repeat. You really just want to go home, but a room would be better than sleeping outside again. "I don't have any money. I lost my wallet and my cell phone."

"I see you have one of Ksenija's trinkets on you. We could trade." You blink at her again and she continues. "I'd be on the losing side of the deal, you know. Ksenija's always peddling her backyard scraps in the market. But I have a use for a Kozyrev ring just now, and this way I won't have to speak to that horrible woman. Plus," she gives an inch of a shrug, "I do have some sympathy for your plight. Are we agreed?"

You don't see why not. You have no idea why people in this town are so into trading shitty jewelry amongst themselves, but who cares.

"Agreed." You hold out your hand, but Maggie doesn't take it. Instead she glides around from behind the desk and starts toward the stairs. "Follow me," she commands, and you do.

There's nothing special about the room. There's a window overlooking a small lawn behind the inn, devoid of decor. The setting sun isn't visible, but its giving off enough light to see a standard-looking queen bed, bedside dresser with a table lamp, and door leading into small bathroom.

"We do not offer laundry services," the woman hums, flicking her eyes up and down, "but there are toiletries in the shower. If you'd like to take your dinner in the parlor, come down after full sunset. If you would prefer to stay in you room for the rest of the evening, I will bring a tray to you instead." She whirls back to the door and then turns to face you, suddenly and alarmingly animated. She cracks a grin that makes you want to get in to trouble and her voice takes the quality of flirty banter. "My name is Maggie, although most here in Quickbeam call me Red." Her smile widens. "We hope you enjoy your stay at the Red Berry Inn!" Maggie gives an infectious laugh, which startles you enough that you immediately drop your ass on to the bed. She has already closed the door.